We Interrupt This Broadcast

WE INTERRUPT THIS BROADCAST
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Rep Jerrold Nadler (D-NY)]
[Commentary] In all this planning and spending on the transition to digital transmission, however, we have yet to address the question of "white spaces." White spaces are the intervals between television channel frequencies to ensure that TV reception is not interrupted by other signals. The usefulness of these white spaces is about to be compromised by a proposal before the Federal Communications Commission by some of the nation’s largest technology companies. Microsoft, Google and others are asking permission to use white spaces — free of charge — for millions of unregulated and unlicensed devices for personal networking systems that they would like to sell, including P.D.A.’s, wireless broadband devices and even toys. These devices could disrupt the new digital TV signals that government and industry have spent so much time and money to promote. While we should encourage technical developments, we should urge the FCC to proceed with caution. We cannot let these new developments undermine television service or hurt key sectors of our entertainment industry.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/09/opinion/09nadler.html?ref=todayspaper
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